St. Mary's Peninsula facts for kids
The St. Mary's Peninsula is a cool piece of land in Maryland. It's part of the "Western Shore" area. This peninsula stretches for about 39 miles (63 km). It goes from the Charles County line, near Charlotte Hall, Maryland, all the way to the southern tip of St. Mary's County at Point Lookout State Park.
The peninsula has water on three sides! To the southwest, it's bordered by the Potomac River. To the north and east, you'll find the Patuxent River. And to the east, it meets the big Chesapeake Bay. The peninsula has a huge shoreline, stretching for 536 miles (863 km) along these rivers and the Bay.
The land area of the St. Mary's Peninsula is about 361 square miles (935 km²). This area is exactly the same as St. Mary's County. Just across the Patuxent River, there's a smaller piece of land called the Calvert Peninsula. It also matches up with a single county in Maryland.
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Nature and Wildlife
The natural world of St. Mary's Peninsula is shaped by the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. These waters are affected by tides, meaning their levels go up and down with the ocean. There are also smaller freshwater streams, ponds, and lakes.
The land here has lots of forests, farms, and developed areas. You'll see clay hills, cliffs along the water, and many marshy areas. These marshes have lots of small creeks and coves. The peninsula is home to animals like whitetail deer and coyotes. You'll also find many other animals and plants typical of the Eastern United States. The forests have a mix of leafy trees and pine trees.
The Chesapeake Bay and its rivers are usually full of different kinds of plants and animals. They are very important for nature. However, in recent years, these waters have faced challenges. Things like too much fishing, building too close to the shore, and pollution have put stress on this amazing natural area. It's important to protect these waters for the future!
Weather on the Peninsula
The weather on the St. Mary's Peninsula changes with the seasons. In winter, the average temperature is about 37.4°F (3°C). In summer, it warms up to an average of 74.4°F (23.6°C). The area gets about 47.5 inches (121 cm) of rain each year. It also gets about 17.8 inches (45 cm) of snow annually.
St. Mary's County has a humid subtropical climate. This means summers are often hot and humid. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer months. Winters are usually cool to mild. But sometimes, it can get very cold, and there can even be blizzards. The peninsula gets plenty of rain throughout the year.
Sometimes, small tornadoes can touch down on the peninsula. However, they usually don't cause much damage. Very rarely, there have been larger, more destructive tornadoes. The area can also experience tropical storms in late August and September. These storms bring strong winds and heavy rains. Since 1980, no major hurricanes have hit directly. But the area has been affected by storms passing nearby. For example, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Irene in 2011 caused damage.
The peninsula has many bluffs, cliffs, and hills along the water. These areas can be as high as 192 feet (58.5 m) and help protect much of the land. However, low-lying areas near the shore can be affected by storm surges from strong storms.
How the Peninsula is Governed
For how it's managed and for political reasons, the St. Mary's Peninsula is exactly the same area as St. Mary's County. It is also a part of the State of Maryland in the United States of America.
A Look Back in Time
Scientists have found signs that people have lived on St. Mary's Peninsula for over 10,000 years! When European settlers first arrived, the Piscataway Indian Nation was already living here. Today, descendants of the Piscataway people still live in the county. One branch of the nation even has its main office here.
The St. Mary's Peninsula was the very first place where the Maryland Colony was started. This happened in the 1630s, making it one of the first permanent settlements in North America. So, its history goes back more than 380 years! Many people living on the peninsula today are descendants of those early settlers. Others are descendants of later immigrants or former enslaved people from the time before the Civil War.
In more recent times, a large military base called Patuxent River Naval Air Station was built here. Also, a major school, St. Mary's College of Maryland, has brought more people to the area in the last 50 years. The northern part of the peninsula is also growing quickly. Many people who work in Washington D.C. now live there.
